In-depth: RW

Monday

Aug 29, 2011 at 12:01 AMSep 4, 2011 at 9:50 PM

The trade for Jeff Carter and the trade-and-sign of James Wisniewski have been held up -- rightly so -- as proof of the Blue Jackets' increased commitment to winning. But there was a smaller deal that might actually be a more precise example of how the philosophy changed this summer on Nationwide Blvd.

The moment Blue Jackets' management learned of Kristian Huselius' weight-lifting injury (torn pec, out through at least November) they began hot pursuit of a top-six winger, landing veteran Vinny Prospal, who can play all three forward positions but is likely to open on the right wing in 2011-12. In previous seasons, the Jackets would have tried to weather the first few months of the season without Huselius.

Puck-rakers has spent the last few days breaking down the Blue Jackets by position. We make our way today to right wing:

1. R.J. UMBERGER

- Umberger may or may not stick on the No. 1 line with left winger Rick Nash and center Jeff Carter. He'll get a look, as will Prospal and others. But Umberger, the most consistent performer on the club, deserves to land atop the depth chart. He has 74 goals for the Blue Jackets the last three seasons, second only to Nash.

Here's the thing about Umberger: he'll play anywhere in the lineup without complaining, It's hard to comprehend -- but true -- that Umberger was bumped to the third line by Nikita Filatov to open the last two seasons.

Umberger's undying work ethic has endeared him with Blue Jackets fans and management. But you don't average 25 goals per season in the NHL without some modicum of skill. Umberger is entering the final year of his contract, but a long-term extension will soon be in the works.

Projection: 28-37-65

2. VINNY PROSPAL

- The risks with a player like Prospal are obvious. He'll turn 37 in February. He's coming off a season in which he played only 29 games before of an early-season knee injury. But a huge reward isn't so far-fetched, either.

Prospal has produced almost everywhere he's played. The way he finished last season 9-14-23 in 29 games convinced the Blue Jackets that his knee surgery was successful, such that they didn't subject him to a physical before he signed. Before last season, Prospal had missed 13 games in the previous eight seasons.

Prospal could fit anywhere. We get the sense, from talking to coaches and management types, that he'll get first dibs on the Nash-Carter line, but he could play on the left side or on the second line. He's a good guy to have around, too, blessed with an effervescent personality.

Projection: 19-36-55

3. DEREK DORSETT

- Dorsett set career highs in games played (76), points (17) and penalty minutes (184) last season. Long-term injuries to Ethan Moreau elevated Dorsett into a checking role, and there were many nights when he didn't look out of place.

Depending on how Arniel configures the third and fourth lines, Dorsett could end up in a similar third-line role.

One place where Dorsett is certain to end up is the penalty box. He's emerging as one of the NHL's premier agitators, and a pretty good welterweight scrapper.

Projection: 5-11-16

4. JARED BOLL

- During his four seasons in the NHL, Jared Boll has more fighting majors (95) than any other player. Only Daniel "Car Bomb" Carcillo (912) has more penalty minutes than Boll (737). At 6-3, 195 pounds, Boll almost always gives up inches and pounds when the gloves hit the ice.

He's a perfect fourth-line winger, one who probably has more scoring touch than he's shown early in his career. Boll had seven goals last season. Mark this down: He'll have a 10-goal season during his career.

Projection: 5-8-15

5. TOMAS KUBALIK

- The Blue Jackets were delighted with Kubalik's pro debut last season. He jumped from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League to the AHL and had 24-29-53 in 76 games for Springfield, leading the Falcons in scoring.

Kubalik is a big boy -- 6-3, 220 -- and plays big, too. He will crash and bang and score goals in the dirty areas. On checking lines, he's a looming presence that can wear people down. On scoring lines, he opens up space for others. It will be very interesting to see how and where he emerges this season.

Projection: 7-15-22

6. CAM ATKINSON

- The Jackets have tried to keep a lid on the enthusiasm for Atkinson, but it hasn't been easy.

Two 30-goal seasons at Boston College -- no small feat in college hockey -- sent his stock soaring, and he did not look out of place (at all) in the AHL late last season, putting up 3-2-5 in five games. His performance in this summer's development camp convinced many within the organization that he'll push for a regular spot on the Blue Jackets in 2011-12.

It's unclear where he might play. When the Jackets look down the road, with dreamy eyes envisioning three scoring lines, it is Atkinson who is playing wing on the second or third line.

Projection: 8-9-17

7, CODY BASS

- Bass could well be a swingman for the Blue Jackets this season, spending most of his time in the AHL but told his to keep his cell phone on in the event of injuries or ineffectiveness. This has been his role with Ottawa the last four seasons.

Either in Springfield or Columbus, don't expect much scoring. But he can bring size and presence to a fourth line.

Projection: 0-2-2

-- Aaron Portzline

aportzline@dispatch.com

twitter: @aportzline

The trade for Jeff Carter and the trade-and-sign of James Wisniewski have been held up -- rightly so -- as proof of the Blue Jackets' increased commitment to winning. But there was a smaller deal that might actually be a more precise example of how the philosophy changed this summer on Nationwide Blvd.

The moment Blue Jackets' management learned of Kristian Huselius' weight-lifting injury (torn pec, out through at least November) they began hot pursuit of a top-six winger, landing veteran Vinny Prospal, who can play all three forward positions but is likely to open on the right wing in 2011-12. In previous seasons, the Jackets would have tried to weather the first few months of the season without Huselius.

Puck-rakers has spent the last few days breaking down the Blue Jackets by position. We make our way today to right wing:

1. R.J. UMBERGER

- Umberger may or may not stick on the No. 1 line with left winger Rick Nash and center Jeff Carter. He'll get a look, as will Prospal and others. But Umberger, the most consistent performer on the club, deserves to land atop the depth chart. He has 74 goals for the Blue Jackets the last three seasons, second only to Nash.

Here's the thing about Umberger: he'll play anywhere in the lineup without complaining, It's hard to comprehend -- but true -- that Umberger was bumped to the third line by Nikita Filatov to open the last two seasons.

Umberger's undying work ethic has endeared him with Blue Jackets fans and management. But you don't average 25 goals per season in the NHL without some modicum of skill. Umberger is entering the final year of his contract, but a long-term extension will soon be in the works.

Projection: 26-37-64

2. VINNY PROSPAL

- The risks with a player like Prospal are obvious. He'll turn 37 in February. He's coming off a season in which he played only 29 games before of an early-season knee injury. But a huge reward isn't so far-fetched, either.

Prospal has produced almost everywhere he's played. The way he finished last season 9-14-23 in 29 games convinced the Blue Jackets that his knee surgery was successful, such that they didn't subject him to a physical before he signed. Before last season, Prospal had missed 13 games in the previous eight seasons.

Prospal could fit anywhere. We get the sense, from talking to coaches and management types, that he'll get first dibs on the Nash-Carter line, but he could play on the left side or on the second line. He's a good guy to have around, too, blessed with an effervescent personality.

Projection: 18-36-54

3. DEREK DORSETT

- Dorsett set career highs in games played (76), points (17) and penalty minutes (184) last season. Long-term injuries to Ethan Moreau elevated Dorsett into a checking role, and there were many nights when he didn't look out of place.

Depending on how Arniel configures the third and fourth lines, Dorsett could end up in a similar third-line role.

One place where Dorsett is certain to end up is the penalty box. He's emerging as one of the NHL's premier agitators, and a pretty good welterweight scrapper.

Projection: 5-11-16

4. JARED BOLL

- During his four seasons in the NHL, Jared Boll has more fighting majors (95) than any other player. Only Daniel "Car Bomb" Carcillo (912) has more penalty minutes than Boll (737). At 6-3, 195 pounds, Boll almost always gives up inches and pounds when the gloves hit the ice.

He's a perfect fourth-line winger, one who probably has more scoring touch than he's shown early in his career. Boll had seven goals last season. Mark this down: He'll have a 10-goal season during his career.

Projection: 5-6-11

5. TOMAS KUBALIK

- The Blue Jackets were delighted with Kubalik's pro debut last season. He jumped from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League to the AHL and had 24-29-53 in 76 games for Springfield, leading the Falcons in scoring.

Kubalik is a big boy -- 6-3, 220 -- and plays big, too. He will crash and bang and score goals in the dirty areas. On checking lines, he's a looming presence that can wear people down. On scoring lines, he opens up space for others. It will be very interesting to see how and where he emerges this season.

Projection: 4-11-15

6. CAM ATKINSON

- The Jackets have tried to keep a lid on the enthusiasm for Atkinson, but it hasn't been easy.

Two 30-goal seasons at Boston College -- no small feat in college hockey -- sent his stock soaring, and he did not look out of place (at all) in the AHL late last season, putting up 3-2-5 in five games. His performance in this summer's development camp convinced many within the organization that he'll push for a regular spot on the Blue Jackets in 2011-12.

It's unclear where he might play. When the Jackets look down the road, with dreamy eyes envisioning three scoring lines, it is Atkinson who is playing wing on the second or third line.

Projection: 6-6-12

7, CODY BASS

- Bass could well be a swingman for the Blue Jackets this season, spending most of his time in the AHL but told his to keep his cell phone on in the event of injuries or ineffectiveness. This has been his role with Ottawa the last four seasons.

Either in Springfield or Columbus, don't expect much scoring. But he can bring size and presence to a fourth line.